Before an astonished crowd of a hundred thousand or more hydro fans, a new
world champion of the unlimited hydroplanes was crowned August 4 on Lake
Washington in Seattle. Miss U.S. out of Detroit and piloted by Bill
Muncey, veteran driver scored enough points to capture top prize in the race.
For 15 years, George Simon, owner, and the crew have been trying to win a race
on Lake Washington, but to no avail. Bill Muncey, too, hadn't had a winner since
1966, so it all added up to a thrilling day for the hydro fans.

From the start, the race was plagued with mechanical troubles. In Heat 1-A
the two favorites, Miss Bardahl with Billy Schumacher and Miss Eagle
Electric with Warner Gardner, just didn't have a chance against Harrah's
Club with Jim McCormick. She took the lead from the start and kept it all
the way ending up with a perfect score of 400 points. Miss Bardahl was
second, and Notre Dame with Jack Regas finished third. Miss Eagle
Electric, Smirnoff and Atlas Van Lines did not finish. In his
pursuit of Notre Dame, Bob Miller in Atlas Van Lines skidded
sideways and flipped over. He was thrown free but escaped with only minor cuts
and bruises. Although Miss Eagle Electric failed to finish the first
heat, thus no hope of victory, she went on to win the next two races, including
the grand finale.

Luck was with Miss U.S. in her first time out. Miss Budweiser
with Bill Sterrett was leading all the way in Heat 1-B and running six seconds
ahead of Miss U.S. After three full laps, a coupling snapped on the water
intake in the Bud giving Miss U.S. the edge. She roared past her
to the finish, while Miss Budweiser limped in fourth. Others to finish
were My Gypsy with Tommy Fults, second; Savair's Mist with Walter
Kade, third; and Gale's Roostertail with Jerry Schoenith, fifth.

At the start of Heat 2-A, Muncey was again behind, with Budweiser, Eagle
Electric and Smirnoff leading the pack. The picture suddenly changed.
Budweiser expired coming out of the first turn, and Smirnoff
expired on the fourth lap, allowing Miss U.S. to finish second behind Miss
Eagle Electric. Savair's Mist finished third.

The most exciting heat of the day was 2-B. A duel was going strong between Harrah's
Club, Miss Bardahl and Notre Dame.

Final
Standings

Boat

Points

Purse

1

Miss U.S.

925

$6,500

2

My Gypsy

825

4,500

3

Eagle Electric*

800

3,300

4

Harrah's Club

800

2,200

5

Savair's Mist

619

1,600

6

Miss Bardahl

600

1,200

7

Notre Dame

394

850

8

Gale's Roostertail

381

550

9

Miss Budweiser

169

450

*(Placed 3rd on
better time)

They hit the starting line almost together and went out of the first turn in
a tight procession. Harrah's Club was first, then Notre Dame and
third Miss Bardahl. Bill McCormick in Harrah's Club had the
advantage after the first lap and appeared capable of keeping it. Billy
Schumacher in Bardahl somehow or other had to get up there to at least
second place if he wanted to keep in contention. He couldn't afford to stay in
third place in this heat if he wanted to keep his title. So he went out after
the lead. He crept up on Jack Regas in Notre Dame and as they crossed the
line for the third lap, they were running neck and neck. Going into the south
turn on the fourth lap, Bardahl was on the outside with Notre Dame
hugging the inside. He hugged the buoys too close and spun out of line, and
before he could get back on course, Schumacher was running free in second place
and going after the lead. He was only one second away as he and McCormick headed
into the final lap. McCormick had the advantage as he was on the inside, but as
he came out of the north turn he swung wide and Schumacher pulled up even with
him in the final stretch. McCormick was determined to win. he hit his nitrous
oxide button to give his engine an instant power boost and he spurted ahead to a
four-foot lead, and at that instant the engine exploded with :a bright flash of
light. It lasted long enough for him to get across the finish line only inches
ahead of Miss Bardahl. This was the thrilling moment of the day for all
the fans.

An accident in the final heat of the day forced its cancellation and
re-scheduling. Notre Dame apparently hit some heavy water on the north
turn in the first lap, lurched violently and pitched Jack Regas into the lake.
He was picked up by a helicopter and rushed to the hospital with a few broken
ribs, a fracture and a dislocated shoulder. Notre Dame apparently was not
too badly damaged.

With her leading rivals out of the race, Miss U.S. needed only to come
in third to win the prize. National champion, Miss Bardahl was beached
for the final heat, having thrown a rod when crossing the starting line; Harrah's
Club, which had already won two heats, blew her engine in the second race so
could not appear in the grand finale. Miss Eagle Electric did not have
enough points to be in contention. The odds were definitely in favor of Miss
U.S. She did finish third behind Miss Eagle Electric and My Gypsy.
Savair's Mist and Gale's Roostertail came in fourth and fifth
respectively.

And so another hydro race has been run in Seattle with a new world's
champion. The race didn't disappoint the fans. It had plenty of thrills and
excitement for all.